WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
23 January 2006 
 (06-0295) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
  
 
REGIONALIZATION 
 
INFORMATION FOR THE RECOGNITION OF FRUIT FLY-FREE AREAS 
 
Communication by Mexico
 
 
Revision  
   The following communication, received on 19 January 2006, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of Mexico. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. BACKGROUND 
1. Certain species of fruit fly are considered the main  fruit-tree pest due to their destructiveness, 
which has led to the imposition of phytosanitary r estrictions on the marketing of the fruit that hosts 
the pest, for domestic consumption and for export. 
2. Accordingly, the Mexican Government has taken various steps to control fruit flies.  The 
establishment of the applicable legal framework be gan in May 1934 with "Internal Quarantine Order 
No. 4 against fruit flies in the North-West Defence Ar ea", to be followed by other legislation such as 
the "Decree declaring the prevention and combating of the pests known as fruit flies of the genera 
Anastrepha, Rhagoletis  and Toxotrypana  to be in the public interest", promulgated on 
13 December 1985.  This latter decree authorized the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate the efforts 
of the Federal Government, the State govern ments and the organized producers in order 
comprehensively to combat the pest. 
3. Later, starting in 1992, the control of fruit flies of economic and quarantine importance was 
strengthened and extended through Cooperation Ag reements between the Federal Government, the 
State governments and the Auxiliary Plant Health Bodi es;  at the same time, in Metapa, Chiapas, the 
Ministry set up a production plant for sterile flies and parasitoids in order to apply highly selective 
and ecological methods of pest eradication in those regions of the country where the ecological 
conditions allowed and to redu ce population densities in others. 
4. The establishment of phytosanitary requirements  and specifications for the operation of the 
National Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign, with the publication of Official Mexican Standard NOM-023-FITO-1995, led to the standardization a nd strengthening of the phytosanitary measures 
against fruit flies, making it possible to reduce the population levels until they  were of little economic 
significance and, where appropriate, recognize free orchards, low-prevalence areas and pest-free 
areas. G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 2  
 
  II. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 
5. The regulatory framework for the recognition of fru it fly-free areas consists of the following: 
(A) 
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL STANDARDS (IMPORTING COUNTRY ) 
(i) ISPM No. 4. Requirements for the establishment of pest-free areas.  Issued by the 
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it describes the 
requirements for the establishment and use of pest-free areas (PFAs) as a risk 
management option for phytosanitary certifi cation of plants and plant products and 
other regulated articles exported from the PFA or to support the scientific justification 
for phytosanitary measures taken by an importing country for protection of an 
endangered PFA; 
(ii) ISPM No. 10. Requirements for the establishment of pest-free places of 
production and pest-free production sites.   Issued by the FAO, it describes the 
requirements for the establishment and use of pest-free places of production as a risk 
management option, for meeting phytosanitary  requirements for the import of plants, 
plant products and other regulated articles;  and 
(iii) RSPM No. 1. Pest-free areas.  Issued by the North American Plant Protection 
Organization, for the purpose of providing a basis for the phytosanitary certification and post-harvest movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles from 
an area without the need for the applica tion of additional phytosanitary measures. 
 
(B) 
OFFICIAL MEXICAN STANDARDS  
6. As part of its regulatory framework, Mexico h as established an Official Mexican Standard for 
the determination, establishment and recognition of pest-free areas and three others governing measures to prevent, combat, control, suppress and eradicate fruit flies, as well as one on the 
movement of fruit fly host fruit.  These Official Mexican Standards are: 
(i) NOM-069-FITO-1995,  "For the Establishment and Recognition of Pest-Free Areas", 
which lays down the requirements for the determination, establishment and 
recognition of pest-free areas, issued in order that plants and plant products and by-products produced in free areas can be m oved without the need to apply additional 
phytosanitary measures; 
(ii) NOM-023-FITO-1995,  "Establishing the National Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign", the 
purpose of which is to establish the requirem ents and phytosanitary specifications for 
the operation of the National Anti-Fruit Fl y Campaign in the registered production 
areas, with a view to recognizing orchards temporarily free of fruit flies of the species:  Anastrepha ludens  (Loew) , A. obliqua  (Macq.), A. serpentina  (Wied.) and A. 
striata  (Schiner), areas of low prevalence and free areas, as well as to lay down 
guidelines for the protection of low-prevalence and pest-free areas; 
(iii) NOM-075-FITO-1997,  "Establishing the Requirements and Phytosanitary 
Specifications for the Movement of Fruit Fl y Host Fruit", whose main purpose is to 
establish the requirements and phytosanitary specifications for the movement of fresh 
fruit fly host fruit in order to prevent the spr ead of the pest to free and low-prevalence 
areas;  and  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
  (iv) NOM-076-FITO-1999,  "National Emergency and Prev ention System Against Exotic 
Fruit Fly", establishing a preventive syst em for the purpose of preventing the 
introduction and establishment on Mexican territo ry of exotic fruit fly of the genera 
Ceratitis, Dacus  and Bactrocera  and some species of Anastrepha spp  and Rhagoletis 
spp;  and establishing procedures for activating the national emergency system. 
(C) TECHNICAL APPENDICES ISSUED IN SUPPO RT OF THESE OFFICIAL MEXICAN STANDARDS  
7. Various Technical Appendices have been issued in  support of the Official Mexican Standards, 
the following being the most relevant: 
(i) Technical Appendix for implementing the emergency plan in areas free of fruit 
fly of the genus Anastrepha.  This lays down the procedures for the application of 
the emergency plan in areas free of fruit fly of the species Anastrepha ludens  (Loew) , 
A. obliqua  (Macq.), A. serpentina  (Wied.) and A. striata  (Schiner), for the purpose of 
preserving their phytosanitary status.  It sets out the requirements relating to organization, participants and responsibiliti es, identification of suspicious specimens 
detected in the free area, notification of  the initiation of the emergency plan, 
phytosanitary activities to be carried out and the eradication certificate;  and 
(ii) Technical Appendix on trapping quality control for fruit fly of the genus 
Anastrepha . This lays down, for officials a nd the private sector (Auxiliary Plant 
Health Bodies and Verification Units appr oved by SAGARPA as part of the National 
Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign), the supervision procedures which the former must apply 
and the latter follow, where appropriate, and hence facilitates the supervision of 
activities at orchard and geographical region level, as well as those covered by the 
phytosanitary specifications for establishing orchards temporarily free of fruit flies, 
areas of low prevalence and free areas. 
(D) 
RESOLUTIONS DECLARING FREE AREAS  
(i) On 26 February 1998, the "Resolutio n declaring all the territories of the 
municipalities of the States of  Baja California Sur, Chihuahua and Sonora free of 
fruit flies" was published in the Official Journal ( Diario Oficial de la Federación de 
los Estados Unidos Mexicanos ); 
(ii) on 17 April 2001, the "Resolution declaring the municipalities of Ahome, Choix, 
El Fuerte, Guasave and Sinaloa de Leyva in the State of Sinaloa free of fruit flies" was published in the Official Journal;   
(iii) on 25 June 2003, the United States Depa rtment of Agriculture published in the 
Federal Register  (7 CFR sections 300 and 319), its recognition of the following 
Mexican municipalities as being free of Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepha ludens, A. 
serpentina, A. obliqua and A. fraterculus : Ahome, Choix, El Fuerte, Guasave and 
Sinaloa de Leyva in the State of Sinaloa, while confirming the status of Comundú, La 
Paz, Loreto, Los Cabos and Mulejé in the St ate of Baja California Sur;  Bachiniva, 
Casas Grandes, Cuahutemoc, Guerrero, Namiquipa and Nuevo Casas Grandes in the State of Chihuahua;  Altar, Atil, Bacum,  Benito Juárez, Caborca, Cajeme, Carbo, 
Empalme, Etchojoa, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Huatabampo, Navojoa, Pitiquito, Plutarco Elias Calles, Puerto Peñasco, San Luis Río Colorado, San Miguel and San Ignacio 
Río Muerto in the State of Sonora; G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 4  
 
  (iv) on 4 May 2001, the "Resolution declaring all the municipalities of the State of 
Coahuila de Zaragoza free of fruit flies"  was published in the Official Journal; 
(v) on 26 January 2004, the "Resolution declar ing the municipalities of Canatlán, Coneto 
de Comonfort, Cuencamé, Durango, Ge neral Simón Bolívar, Gómez Palacio, 
Guadalupe Victoria, Guanaceví, Hidalgo, Indé, Lerdo, Mapimí, Nazas, Nombre de 
Dios, Ocampo, El Oro, Pánuco de Corona do, Peñón Blanco, Poanas, Rodeo, San 
Bernardo, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan del Río, San Luis del Cordero, San Pedro 
del Gallo, Santa Clara, Santiago Papas quiaro, Súchil, Tepehuanes, Tlahualilo, 
Vicente Guerrero and Nuevo Ideal in the State of Durango free of fruit flies" was 
published in the Official Journal;  and 
 (vi) on 24 August 2005, the "Resolution d eclaring the municipalities of Angostura, 
Badiraguato, Culiacán, Elota, Mocorito, Navol ato and Salvador Alvarado in the State 
of Sinaloa free of fruit flies" was published in the Official Journal. 
 
III. PROCEDURE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF FREE AREAS 
8. On the basis of the regulatory framework, a tec hnical file for the recognition of the free area 
is compiled and a form for verifying the basic data in the field in accordance with paragraph 4.13.1 of 
Official Mexican Standard NOM-023-FITO-1995 is co mpleted.  This includes general data on the 
region, fruit fly trapping and sterile fly release, re gistration of orchards, area and location, host fruit 
currently grown in the area, anti-fruit fly campaign ac tivities in the last three years and climatological 
information. 
IV. PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES FOR MAINTAINING FREE AREAS (INTRA-
ENTITY INSPECTION) 
9. The phytosanitary measures designed to maintain and protect a fruit fly-free area are 
established within an annual work programme, approved by SAGARPA and based on the regulatory 
framework described above.   The phytosanitary measures applied to maintain free areas are as 
follows: 
(A) 
SURVEILLANCE  
10. A trapping network is maintained in urban a nd suburban areas at densities of one trap per 
10 hectares;  in commercial and fringe areas located  less than 5 km. from urban and suburban areas 
there is one trap every 25 hectares, and in commercial and fringe areas more than 5 km. from urban and suburban areas one trap every 50 hectares, wi th weekly checks, throughout the year.  Where 
appropriate, the trapping densities established in inte r-agency agreements with importing countries are 
applied. 
11. SAGARPA, through the General Plant Health Dir ectorate, establishes a trap quality control 
programme, in accordance with the provisions of th e Technical Appendix on trap quality control for 
fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha . 
12. The preventive trap network for exotic fruit flies is maintained in the entities, the trap quality 
control programme also being applied. 
(B) 
PHYTOSANITARY CONTROLS  
13. The quarantine system protects the free areas through the application of phytosanitary 
procedures and requirements to shipments of fruit-fly host fruit, for the purpose of controlling its  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  movement into free areas.  In addition, these area s are protected by quarantine control points (Internal 
Check Points) set up on land routes, where the phyto sanitary certificates issued are verified and, 
where appropriate, the plants and their products  and by-products are checked and inspected and 
quarantine treatment applied.  Th e Internal Check Points are manned by trained technical personnel 
and have at their disposal fumiga tion chambers, samples and effectiv e treatments for reducing the risk 
of the pest being introduced into free areas. 
14. At the same time, in supply centres, markets a nd stores located in free areas, the phytosanitary 
documentation is again checked and the fruit inspected .  These activities serve to control the quality of 
quarantine application on entry into the free areas. 
(C) APPLICATION OF THE EMERGENCY PLAN  
15. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food has an 
emergency plan for eradicating as quickly as possible a ny fruit fly outbreaks in fr ee areas.  Prior to the 
detection of the pest by means of the surveillance system, this plan made it possible to maintain the 
free areas of Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Co ahuila, Durango and Sonora and 12 municipalities of 
North and Central Sinaloa, which demo nstrated its operational feasibility. 
16. The technical appendix for the free area emergency plan, which forms part of 
NOM-023-FITO-1995, is available for plan implementation purposes. 
V. MEASURES WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF SONORA AS A FRUIT FLY-FREE AREA 
(A) GENERAL  
17. Sonora lies in the far North-West of Mexico between longitudes 108° 27’ and 115° 03’ West 
and latitudes 26° 14’ and 32° 29’ North. 
18. In the North, it shares a 588 km. long border with  the United States;  in the East, it adjoins the 
State of Chihuahua, in the South-East the State of Sinaloa, and in the West the Gulf of California, on which it has a 816 km. long shoreline. 
19. A large part of  Sonora consists of the Sonor an Desert, which includes most of the coastal 
plain, with dry prevailing winds from the North Pole .  These characteristics determine the rainfall and 
the very wide daily variations of temperature, throughout the year. 
20. The State is divided into three physiographical  provinces.  The first of these, from East to 
West, is located in the extreme east of the Stat e and occupies 10 per cent of its territory;  it is 
represented by a strip of the mountain system of the Sierra Madre Occidental which runs along the border with the State of Chihuahua, from just short of the United States frontier to the border with the 
State of Sinaloa.  The vegetation of this region is need le-leaf forest.  In the high part of the Sierra it is 
characterized by an upper growth of conifers 12 to 20 m tall of the genus Pinus  and an undergrowth of 
tussock grasses.  At lower altit udes a transitional forest of Quercus, Pinus  and arbutus ( Arbustus 
arizonica) , etc. prevails. 
21. The second physiographical province, called the "Sierras and Parallel Valleys" region, 
occupies 40 per cent of the area of the State, fo rms a strip running north-south through the middle of 
the State from the international frontie r with the United States to the bor der with the State of  Sinaloa, 
and is represented by the mountain chains that fo rm the Sierras of Cananea, La Púrica, Nacozari, 
Aconchi, Sahuaripa and Moctezuma.  These mountain chains are separated by broad parallel valleys G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 6  
 
  through which the rivers Bavispe, Nacozari, Moct ezuma, Sonora, San Miguel, Yaqui and Mayo run 
before flowing out into the Gulf of California. 
22. In this region, the vegetation is thorn scrub c onsisting of shrubs and low trees 3 to 5 m tall 
and, at ground level, sparse grasses. 
23. The third region, the coastal strip along the Gu lf of California, occupies 50 per cent of the 
total area of the State, borders on the North with  the United States, on the South with the State of 
Sinaloa, on the East with the Sierras and Parallel Valleys region and on the West with the Sea of 
Cortés, and forms part of the coast of the Gulf of Ca lifornia.  The characteristic flora consist of shrubs 
up to 2 m. tall and cacti up to 6 m. tall, with one predominating over the other in varying degrees. 
24. The cultivated area lies in the coastal strip of  the Gulf of California, which has a desert 
ecology.  It depends on the availability of water s ources and arable soil and is therefore good only for 
irrigated farming in compact areas such as San Luis Río Colorado, Sonoyta, Caborca, Costa de 
Hermosillo, Guaymas-Empalme, Vall e del Yaqui and Valle del Mayo. 
25. Approximately 48 per cent of the irrigate d area is reserved for growing fruit, most 
importantly, grapes, sweet oranges and peaches. 
(B) 
BACKGROUND AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION  
26. From 1984 to 1987, negotiations were conducte d with the United States with a view to 
obtaining the recognition of the free areas.  On 8 January 1987, the US Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) published in the Federal Regi ster a change in the Act enabling the United States to apply this 
concept in any quarantined country. 
27. The State of Sonora has had a fruit fly-free ar ea since 30 March 1988, when it was recognized 
by the United States.  This area covers 12 of its municipalities. 
28. Since 1992, the Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign has b een operating under a tripartite agreement 
between the federal and state governments and th e producers on the State Plant Health Committee 
(CESV).  By mutual consent, the three parties ag ree economic resources for its implementation.  The 
Federation and the State are responsible for regul ating, supervising, supporting and advising the 
CESV, which in its turn is responsible for running the Campaign, subject to the authorization of an 
annual programme, covering all the activities to be ca rried out, by the federal and state governments. 
29. As a result of progress with the implementation of the Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign, in 1994 the 
pest was eradicated in 55 municipalities, whic h were added to the 12 already internationally 
recognized as fruit fly-free areas.  Accordingly, on 26 July 1995 the Mexican Government granted 
recognition to 69 of the State's 70 municipalities, with publication of the resolution in the Official 
Journal. 
30. Later, on 26 February 1998 the recognition of a ll the State's municipalities as free of fruit fly 
was published in the Official Journal.  This status was recognized by the United States on 
20 January 1999.  
(C) PREVENTIVE MEASURES  
31. In the State's 72 municipalities, a preventive tra pping network for the detection of any fruit 
flies of the genera Anastrepha, Ceratitis  and Bactrocera  has been set up .  Trapping is carried out 
throughout the year in urban and in fringe and commercial areas.  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
  32. Quarantine control is based on various pieces of legislation subsidiary to the Federal Plant 
Health Law, published on 5 January  1994, which regulates the movement of fruit fly host fruit, as laid 
down in the official standards. 
33. On this basis and for the purpose of protecting the fruit fly-free area, Internal Check Points 
(ICPs) have been established at three points of entr y into the State, namely: Estación Don, on the 
border with Sinaloa;  Agua Prieta and Yécora, located in the municipalities of the same name 
bordering on Chihuahua .  At these points, quarantine controls involving the inspection of every 
private vehicle and public and federal means of tr ansport are applied for the purpose of intercepting 
fruit in luggage, car boots and packages;  in addition, the phytosanitary documentation for agricultural goods is checked, partial quarantine fruit is samp led, seizures are made and, where necessary, 
commercial shipments are fumigated. 
34. In 1996, state quarantine controls were stre ngthened with the establishment of ICPs at 
Álamos to control the movement of products from th e Sierra Sur region, together with in-transit 
inspection of the railway on the Sufragio, Sinaloa-Estación Don, Sonora line, at the airports of Ciudad de Hermosillo, Guaymas and Ciudad Obregón and at the seaport of Guaymas .  Moreover, the State 
has Agricultural Health Inspection Offices (OISAs) at  the frontier points of San Luis Río Colorado, 
Sonoyta, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta. 
(D) 
FACTORS FAVOURING THE ESTA BLISHMENT OF A FRUIT FLY -FREE AREA IN THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF SONORA  
35. On the North Sonora borders on the US State of Arizona;  on the West it adjoins the Gulf of 
California, on the East the free area of  Chihuahua  State, and on the South the free area of Sinaloa 
State and a narrow strip between the Sea of Cortés and the Western Sierra Madre .  The State's climate 
is very dry and the temperatures are extreme;  these conditions determine the State's desert-type vegetation. 
36. The vegetation presents an obstacle to the spread of any fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha  
which may appear in Mexico, these flies ha ving a typical tropical distribution pattern. 
37. Sonora's native plant species are not  considered to be fruit fly hosts .  The vegetation is 
predominantly of the scrub and cactus t ype or pine woods at higher altitudes .  The presence of fruit fly 
hosts such as citrus fruit tr ees and white sapota depends on the availability of irrigation .  Thus, these 
host plants are to be found distributed among the farm ing valleys in the form of "ecological islands", 
and in inhabited areas, where there are isolat ed sweet orange, guava and white sapota trees. 
38. The main highway is the Los Mochis – Hermos illo motorway and there is only one railway 
line, which enters the State at "Estación Don" .  These unique circumstances favour the application of 
quarantine controls for maintaining "Free Area" status. 
VI. MEASURES WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR AS A FRUIT FLY-FREE AREA 
(A) 
GENERAL  
39. The State of Baja California Sur is situated on the Peninsula of Baja California, in the North-
West of the Mexican Republic.  It lies between  22° 52’ and 28° North and 109° 24’ and 115° 04’ 
West.  It is bordered on the North by the State of  Baja California, on the East by the Gulf of 
California, and on the South and West by the Pacific Ocean. G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 8  
 
  40. Some 85 per cent of the area of the State is flat , with few hills.  The other 15 per cent includes 
a mountain chain almost parallel to the coast of the Gu lf of California, covered by a series of forests.  
In the North of the State lies the Sierra de Santa Lucí a, in the centre the Sierra de La Giganta, in the 
South-East the Sierra de La Laguna and the Sierra de  La Trinidad, and in the South the Sierra de San 
Lázaro. 
41. The territory of Baja California Sur is 82.8 pe r cent covered with vegetation, the remaining 
17.2 per cent having no plant cover at all.  In the South, low thorn woods and pine and ilex forests 
occupy  6.9 per cent of the area of the State.  More over, in the North and centre there are areas with an 
arid zone ecosystem that account for 58.6 per cent of  the State's territory.  Finally, 6.5 per cent of the 
territory is covered by halophytic vegetation and 10.8 per cent is used  for farming, livestock raising or 
human habitation. 
(B) 
BACKGROUND AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION  
42. In 1992, following the signature of a Coopera tion Agreement between the State Government, 
the State Plant Health Committee (CESVBCS), which represents the producers, and the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (SAGAR ), activities intended to show that there were 
no fruit flies in the State of Baja California Sur, or to eradicate them where necessary, were initiated. 
43. On 26 July 1995, on the basis of action taken in  the field and the continued corroboration of 
the absence of fruit flies through the operation of a trapping network, the Federal Government 
published in the Official Journal a resolution d eclaring the municipalities of Mulegé, Comundú and 
Loreto in the State of Baja California Sur free of fruit flies.  
44. Accordingly, in July 1995 the Mexican Governme nt asked the United St ates to recognize this 
area as fruit-fly free, but not until 20 January 1999, f our years later, did the United States finally grant 
recognition of this status and publish it in the Federal Register . 
45. On 26 February 1998, the Mexican Governme nt published in the Official Journal a 
"Resolution declaring the municipalities of La Paz a nd Los Cabos free of fruit flies".  The request for 
recognition was addressed to the United States Government on 26 Februa ry 1998, and recognition 
was obtained on 25 June 2003. 
(C) PREVENTIVE MEASURES  
46. Since 1976 a State trapping network has existe d as a preventive measure against exotic fruit 
flies of the species Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera dorsalis  and B. cucurbitae.  The aim of trapping is 
to detect in good time the possible presence of  these species of fruit fly in the State.   
47. The Baja California Sur fruit fly-free area is protected from possible reinfestation by means of 
internal check points, one in Guerrero Negro, in th e North of the State and very near the border with 
Baja California, and others at the seaport of Pichi lingue and the airports of La Paz and San José del 
Cabo. 
(D) FACTORS FAVOURING THE ESTA BLISHMENT OF A FRUIT FLY -FREE AREA IN THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR  
48. Baja California Sur has a dry and very extrem e climate, with temperatures ranging from an 
annual minimum of -2.5°C to an annual maximu m of 46.3°C and an average annual rainfall of 
150 mm.  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  49. The prevailing environmental cond itions make it difficult for fruit flies to become established 
and, moreover, most of the State is a natural desert.  These characteristics also determine the type of vegetation, predominantly scrub and cactus.  The pl ant species typical of Baja California Sur are not 
considered to be hosts to fruit flies. 
50. Moreover, the distribution of introduced hosts su ch as citrus trees and mango is restricted to 
specific areas resembling "ecological islands", as we ll as by the availability of irrigation. Isolated 
sweet orange, mango, guava and white sapota trees are to be found in populated areas. 
51. The State of Baja California Sur exists in natu ral geographical isolation.  It is a peninsula 
surrounded by the Gulf of California and the Pacifi c Ocean.  This makes fruit fly migration very 
difficult and facilitates the application of quarantine controls. 
VII. MEASURES WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF CHIHUAHUA AS A FRUIT FLY-FREE AREA  
(A) 
GENERAL  
52. The State of Chihuahua lies in the northern Mexican Republic between 25°34’ and 31°47’ 
North and 103°11’ and 109°07’ West;  it has borders with the United States to the North, the Mexican 
States of Durango and Sinaloa to the South, the State of Sonora to the West, and the State of Coahuila 
to the East. 
53. The State has mountains that rise for the most part to heights of 1,000 or 2,500 m above sea 
level.  There are three natural regions: "Altiplano" , "Western Sierra Madre" and "Desert Zone".  The 
Altiplano (high plateau) is located in the centre of the State at altitudes that vary between 1,000 and 
1,500 m. above sea level.  This region is bordered on the West and South-West by the Western Sierra 
Madre and on the East by the Desert Zone.  Its climate is generally classified as semi-arid with 
maximum temperatures of 41°C, minimum temper atures of 4°C and an annual average of 10°C. 
Annual rainfall averages 400 mm.  The native vegetati on of the region consists of xerophilous plants 
and shrubs of various sizes. 
54. The Western Sierra Madre flanks almost the en tire far west of the State along the border with 
Sonora, from North Sinaloa.  The climate of this  region is temperate sub-humid to semi-cold sub-
humid, with an annual rainfall of more than 700 mm .  The native vegetation prevailing in the high 
part of the Sierra is needle-leaf forest, with Pinus, Cupressus, Juglans and Pseudotsuga , together with 
tussock grasses at lower altitudes. 
55. The Desert Zone extends across the North and East of the State, from the frontier with the 
United States all along the border with the State of Coahuila.  The climate is very dry semi-hot and 
very dry temperate, with maximum temperatures of 44°C, minimum temperatures of –18°C and an 
annual average of 15°C.  Annual rainfall averages 300 mm.  The native plant species representative of 
this region are: cactus ( Pachycereus pringlei ), Creole palm ( Yuca macrocarpa ), lechuguilla ( Agave 
bovicornuta ), barrel cactus ( Ferocactus spp ), creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ), prickly chaparral 
(Condalia ovobata ) and  peyote ( Astrophyton asterias ). 
56. Most of the fruit-growing area lies in the foothills  of the Western Sierra Madre and to a lesser 
extent in the Altiplano, at altitudes of from 1500 to 2000 m above sea level,  with annual average 
maximum temperatures of 20°C in November and 25°C in April and annual average minimum 
temperatures of 3°C and 8°C in the same months , respectively.  Apple and peach orchards produce 
cash crops, while apricots, quinces, plums and pears are grown on a semi-commercial or family basis. G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 10  
 
  (B) 
BACKGROUND AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION  
57. In 1991, the State's fruit growers, organized in  a State Plant Health Committee (CESV), took 
steps to monitor fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha .  That same year, with the establishment of the 
Anti-Fruit Fly Campaign by the Mexican Federal Government, the action was intensified and the 
producers received advice on how to achieve their objectives. 
58. On the basis of the results obtained by the Campaign in Chihuahua, on 26 July 1995 the 
Mexican Government published in the Official Jour nal a "Resolution declaring the entire State a fruit 
fly-free area". 
59. On 15 January 1996, the United States Departme nt of Agriculture (USDA) was asked to 
recognize the State of Chihuahua as free of fruit fly ( Anastrepha ludens, A. obliqua, A. serpentina, A. 
fraterculus and Cerstitis capitata ).  Recognition was granted by publication in the United States 
Federal Register  on 20 January 1999. 
(C) PREVENTIVE MEASURES  
60. Since 1991, the State's commercial fruit tree areas have been carrying out seasonal (spring-
summer) trapping, and since 1992 there has been winter  trapping in the urban areas they include.  In 
1993, trapping was extended to two urban areas locat ed outside the zones included in the commercial 
production areas: Chihuahua and Cd. Juárez.  Later,  in 1994, the remaining urban and fringe areas 
(semi-commercial and/or family orchards) were added. 
61. Since 1993 there has been systematic sampling of  host fruit in the State's markets and supply 
centres, and in 1994 internal check points were established in Cd. Jiménez and Villamatamoros. 
(D) FACTORS FAVOURING THE ESTA BLISHMENT OF A FRUIT FLY -FREE AREA IN THE MEXICAN 
STATE OF CHIHUAHUA  
62. Thanks to the climatic and geographical conditio ns, the probability of fruit fly populations 
establishing themselves in the State of Chihuahua is  very low.  The native vegetation does not act as 
host to the pest, the only likely hosts being deciduous fruit trees grown commercially or semi-commercially and isolated fruit trees growing in back gardens. 
VIII.  BENEFITS FOR MEXICO FROM THE RECOGNITION OF FRUIT FLY-FREE 
AREAS 
63. The benefits obtained from the recognition of fruit fly-free areas are reflected in exports of the 
products that host the pest, such as apples, apricots , grapefruit, oranges, peaches, plums, persimmons, 
pomegranates and mandarins from the free areas.  Mo reover, recognition has made it possible, in the 
Mexican States of Sonora and Baja California Sur,  for the origin inspection programmes of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-AP HIS) to be transferred to the General Plant 
Health Directorate of the Mexican Ministry of Ag riculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries 
and Food.  
   G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1
 Page 11Recognition of Fruit Fly-Free Areas by SAGARPA and USDA  
(United States Department of Agriculture ) 
 
 
DATES 
STATE MUNICIPALITY 
PUBLICATION IN 
OJ REQUEST TO 
UNITED STATESDISPATCH OF 
ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION TECHNICAL 
INSPECTION 
APHIS-USDA RECOGNITION BY UNITED 
STATES 
MULEGÉ COMUNDÚ AND 
LORETO 26 JULY 1995 25 JULY 1995 
19 FEB. 1996 23 JUNE 1997 SEPTEMBER 1997 20 JANUARY 1999 BAJA CALIFORNIA 
SUR LA PAZ AND LOS CABOS 26 FEBRUARY 9 FEB. 1999 --- --- 25  JUNE 2003 
CHIHUAHUA ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 
26 FEB. 1998 15 JANUARY 
1996 --- JULY 1994 
APRIL 1996 20 JANUARY 1999 
ALTAR, ATIL, CABORCA, 
CARBO, EMPALME, 
GUAYMAS, HERMOSILLO, 
PITIQUITO, PLUTARCO 
ELÍAS CALLES, PUERTO 
PEÑASCO, SAN LUIS RÍO 
COLORADO AND SAN 
MIGUEL DE HORCASITAS 26 JULY 1995 FROM 1984 TO 1987, NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONDUCTED TO 
OBTAIN USDA RECOGNITION OF FREE AREAS.  ON 8 
JANUARY 1987, USDA PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL 
REGISTER THE CHANGE IN THE ACT ENABLING THE 
UNITED STATES TO APPLY THIS CONCEPT IN ANY 
QUARANTINED COUNTRY. 30 MARCH 1988 
SONORA 
BACUM, BENITO JUÁREZ, 
CAJEME, ETCHOJOA, 
HUATABAMPO AND 
NAVOJOA 26 FEB. 1998 10 OCT. 1995 2 AUGUST 1996 
8 NOV. 1996 
16 APRIL 1997 
16 APRIL 1998 --- 20 JANUARY 1999 
SINALOA AHOME, CHOIX, EL 
FUERTE, GUASAVE AND 
SINALOA DE LEYVA 17 APRIL 2001 6 NOV. 2001 4 DEC. 2001 --- 25 JUNE 2003 G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 12  
 
   
Recognition of Fruit Fly-Free Areas by SAGARPA
 
 
 STATE MUNICIPALITY PUBLICATION IN OJ  
BAJA CALIFORNIA ENTIRE STATE 26 FEBRUARY 1998 
COAHUILA ENTIRE STATE 26  FEBRUARY 1998 
DURANGO CANATLÁN, CONETO DE 
COMONFORT, CUENCAMÉ, DURANGO, GENERAL SIMÓN 
BOLÍVAR, GÓMEZ PALACIO, 
GUADALUPE VICTORIA, GUANACEVÍ, HIDALGO, INDÉ, LERDO, MAPIMÍ, 
NAZAS, NOMBRE DE DIOS, OCAMPO, 
EL ORO, PÁNUCO DE CORONADO, PEÑÓN BLANCO, POANAS, RODEO, 
SAN BERNARDO, SAN JUAN DE 
GUADALUPE, SAN JUAN DEL RÍO, 
SAN LUIS DEL CORDERO, SAN 
PEDRO DEL GALLO, SANTA CLARA, SANTIAGO PAPASQUIARO, SÚCHIL, 
TEPEHUANES, TLAHUALILO, 
VICENTE GUERRERO AND NUEVO IDEAL 26 JANUARY 2004 
SINALOA ANGOSTURA, BADIRAGUATO, 
CULIACÁN, ELOTA, MOCORITO, 
NAVOLATO AND SALVADOR 
ALVARADO 24 AUGUST 2005  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 13 
 
 
   
  
 
 
    
AARREEAASS 
RECOGNIZED FREE BY SAGARPA  
RECOGNIZED FREE BY USDA  
IN PROCESS OF ERADICATION  G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 14  
 
  Recognition of Fruit Fly-Free Areas by MAF
 
(New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry ) 
 
 DATE 
STATE MUNICIPALITY PUBLICATION 
IN OJ REQUEST TO 
NEW ZEALAND MAF 
TECHNICAL 
INSPECTION RECOGNITION BY 
NEW ZEALAND 
BAJA 
CALIFORNIA 
SUR MULEGÉ 
COMUNDÚ AND 
LORETO 26 JULY 1995 18 SEPTEMBER 
1996   
CHIHUAHUA CUAUHTEMOC, 
GUERRERO, 
NAMIQUIPA 
AND NUEVO 
CASAS 
GRANDES 26 JULY 1995 
26 FEBRUARY 
1998 18 SEPTEMBER 
1996   
SINALOA AHOME, CHOIX, 
EL FUERTE, 
GUASAVE AND 
SINALOA DE 
LEYVA 17 APRIL 2001  14-15 JULY 
2005 24 AUGUST 2005 
SONORA ALTAR, 
CABORCA, 
EMPALME, 
GUAYMAS, 
HERMOSILLO, 
PITIQUITO, 
PUERTO 
PEÑASCO, SAN 
LUIS RÍO 
COLORADO  26 JULY 1995 18 SEPTEMBER 
1996    G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
   
    
 
    
 
  
 
  
 
RECOGNIZED FREE BY SAGARPA  
RECOGNIZED FREE BY MAF  
IN PROCESS OF ERADICATION  AARREEAASS G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 16  
 
  Recognition of Fruit Fly-Free Areas by SAGARPA and DAFF
 
(Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ) 
 
 DATES 
STATE MUNICIPALITY PUBLICATION 
IN OJ REQUEST TO 
AUSTRALIA DAFF 
TECHNICAL 
INSPECTION  RECOGNITION BY 
AUSTRALIA 
BAJA CALIFORNIA 
SUR ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY1995 9 DECEMBER 
2003 24 JUNE 2004 20 OCTOBER 2004 
CHIHUAHUA ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 
26 FEBRUARY 
1998 1999 --- 
04 JULY 2003 
SINALOA AHOME, CHOIX, 
EL FUERTE, 
GUASAVE AND 
SINALOA DE 
LEYVA 17 APRIL 20019 DECEMBER 
2003 23 JUNE 2004 20 OCTOBER 2004  
SONORA ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 1999 --- 04 JULY 2003   G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
   
    
 
 
     
 
    
RECOGNIZED FREE BY SAGARPA  
RECOGNIZED FREE BY DAFF  
IN PROCESS OF ERADICATION  AARREEAASS G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
Page 18  
 
   
Recognition of Fruit Fly-Free Areas by SAGARPA and the Directorate
 
General for Health and Consumer Protection  
of the European Economic Community  
 
 
    
 
    
 
     
 DATES STATE MUNICIPALITY PUBLICATION 
IN OJ RECOGNITION BY 
EEC 
BAJA 
CALIFORNIA 
SUR ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 28 JANUARY 2002 
CHIHUAHUA ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 
26 FEBRUARY 
1998 28  JANUARY 2002  
SONORA ENTIRE STATE 26 JULY 1995 28  JANUARY 2002   G/SPS/GEN/440/Rev.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
   
    
 
 
 
     
 
  
__________ 
RECOGNIZED FREE BY SAGARPA  
RECOGNIZED FREE BY THE EEC  
IN PROCESS OF ERADICATION  AARREEAASS